“Allan Saint-Maximin broke the deadlock for Nice, finishing to give the hosts the lead against the run of play after Lens had dominated possession and shot count through much of the half.”
Pivotal“Ali Abdi, introduced as a substitute just 13 minutes earlier, grabbed a stunning equaliser for ten-man Lens to make it 1-1, turning what appeared to be a losing cause into a hard-earned point on the road.”
Pivotal
Nice
Lens
Outstanding performance
Lens•DefenderLens dominated the statistical picture throughout — 54 percent possession, 16 shots to Nice's nine, and 30 tackles suggesting a side that pressed and competed for every ball — yet it was the hosts who took the lead when Allan Saint-Maximin converted in the 60th minute to make it 1-0. The match then swung dramatically in Nice's favour when Saud Abdulhamid was dismissed in the 81st minute for a professional foul as the last defender, leaving Lens to see out the final minutes with ten men and a one-goal deficit. But rather than capitulating, the visitors found their equaliser almost immediately through substitute Ali Abdi in the 84th minute, turning what looked like a hard-fought Nice victory into a share of the spoils. The result extends a frustrating sequence for both clubs — Nice unable to convert a man advantage into a winning margin despite their solid defensive shape, while Lens will reflect on how their earlier dominance ultimately delivered only a point in their push up the table.
How entertaining was this match?
Kevin Carlos Omoruyi Benjamin comes on for Sofiane Diop.
Charles Vanhoutte is substituted for Hichem Boudaoui.
Melvin Bard receives a yellow card.
Ali AbdiAli Abdi scores with a left-footed shot.
Ruben Aguilar replaces Florian Thauvin.
Ali Abdi takes a left-footed shot and scores.
Ali AbdiGoal! Ali Abdi scores, making it 1-1.
Adrien Thomasson Yellow CardAdrien Thomasson receives a yellow card.
Saud AbdulhamidRed CardSaud Abdulhamid receives a red card.
Abdallah Sima is on, and Odsonne Edouard is off.
Ali Abdi takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Allan Saint-Maximin attempts a header but misses the target.
Ali Abdi is substituted for Kail Boudache.
Isak Jansson comes on for Mohamed Ali-Cho.
Florian Thauvin takes a left-footed shot that hits the post.
Isak Jansson replaces Mohamed Ali-Cho.
Malang Sarr takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Allan Saint-MaximinAllan Saint-Maximin scores with a left-footed shot.
Allan Saint-Maximin takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Allan Saint-Maximin takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Allan Saint-Maximin takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Mohamed Ali-Cho takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Juma BahYellow CardAbdulay Juma Bah receives a yellow card.
Florian ThauvinYellow CardFlorian Thauvin receives a yellow card.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
Odsonne Edouard takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Pierre Ganiou's header is saved.
Malang Sarr receives a yellow card.
Mamadou Sangare takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Kail Boudache takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Sofiane Diop takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Abdulay Juma Bah takes a shot with his head, but it is saved.
Allan Saint-Maximin takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Pierre Ganiou takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Shot from Mohamed Ali-Cho with his right foot is blocked.
Samson Baidoo's header is blocked.
Mamadou Sangare's right-footed shot is blocked.
Odsonne Edouard takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Mamadou Sangare takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Second-place Lens arrive at the Allianz Riviera on a mission to close the gap on league leaders PSG, facing a Nice side desperately fighting to stay out of the relegation zone. With Lens averaging 2.4 goals per game and Nice conceding 3.0 per game at home recently, fireworks are very much on the menu on the Côte d'Azur.
